Breadcrumb trail

How does the Green Bin Program work?

Organics recycling is an important part of the City of Ottawa’s long term Waste Strategy. Diverting residential organic waste away from landfill saves the City millions of dollars by reducing the need for a new landfill site.

Your green bin is now being collected each and every week, 52 weeks a year.

Roughly 45 per cent of Ottawa’s garbage (by weight) is compostable organic material that can be put into the green bin. Just as Ottawa residents separate recyclable materials from their garbage, the Green Bin program makes it easy to also separate organics for curb-side pickup.

Other acceptable items in the Green Bin Program include kitty litter, ashes, sawdust, animal bedding and many others. Wrap items in newspaper, paper bags, or place in milk/juice cartons before tossing them into the green bin.

The organic material is brought to an indoor composting facility owned by Orgaworld Canada located in an industrial park off of Hawthorne Road where it will be turned into compost. The compost is used on farmer's fields in Eastern Ontario.

What will be done with the compost?

Orgawold is responsible for the marketing and sale of the finished compost. The City receives 5 per cent of the finished compost.

No smell

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) requires that odours cannot be detectable at the property boundary of the Orgaworld facility. Any odour complaints should be directed to the MOECC.

For more information about Ottawa’s Green Bin program visit green bin program or call 311.